...and the Band Played ON

For this episode, Brian McWhorter talks with Dr. Susan Pickett – musicologist and professor emerita from Whitman College – to discuss composer Louise Farrenc (1804-1875). The upcoming Eugene Ballet/Orchestra Next production of Taming of the Shrew features Farrenc’s music throughout, including all three of her symphonies as well as the Nonet. More information about the show can be found at eugeneballet.org

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our supporters who have made this podcast possible. If you’d like to help support our projects, please visit orchestranext.com.

For this episode, our guest is Pius Cheung, composer for Heaven and Earth – a new ballet set to premiere this April 16 and 17 with the Eugene Ballet at the Hult Center. We talk about the process for composing the piece and how it all came together with choreographer Suzanne Haag. Heaven and Earth featuring Orchestra Next’s percussion ensemble has just been released on CD and you can find more information on our website.

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our supporters who have made this podcast possible. If you’d like to help support our projects, please visit orchestranext.com.

This episode was recorded immediately following the dress rehearsal for Eugene Ballet’s production of Cinderella on Nov. 4, 2021. The performances mark 23 months(!) since Orchestra Next’s last performance with the Ballet at the Hult Center…and there are a LOT of feelings about it all. Joining music director Brian McWhorter for this lively chat are general manager Sarah Viens and assistant conductor Daniel Cho.

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our musicians for hanging in there during this trying time. And we also wish to thank our supporters who have made this podcast possible. If you’d like to help support our projects, please visit orchestranext.com.

For this episode, we welcome ON alum Tony Glausi who many of our fans will remember from The Great Gatsby production. A few years ago, Tony made his way to New York City and finding a great deal of success – so we chat about this transition, some of the things he’s learned, and what he’s working on now. If you’d like to hear more of Tony’s work (and we strongly recommend that you do!) go to www.tonyglausi.com

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our musicians for hanging in there during this trying time. And we also wish to thank our supporters who have made this project possible. If you’d like to help support this project, please visit orchestranext.com.

For this episode, we are proud to release 4 devised pieces that our student musicians worked on over the last several months. We worked with three dancers from #instaballet: Jade McAnally, Kyra Laubacher, and Tessa Castellano – and, once they recorded their videos, we got to work making music. Joining us to talk about the project (and listening to the music for the first time) are Jade and Kyra. If you’d like to see the videos, go to orchestranext.com/devisedproject

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our musicians for hanging in there during this trying time. And we also wish to thank our supporters who have made this project possible. If you’d like to help support this project, please visit orchestranext.com.

For this episode, Steve Vacchi takes us on a tour of his weird collection of instruments – from the contra-alto clarinet to something called the “hecklephone.” Not only does Steve like to collect some of these strange horns, he also happens to sound incredible on them! Steve Vacchi is professor of bassoon at the University of Oregon and principal bassoon with Orchestra Next.

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our musicians for hanging in there during this trying time. And we also wish to thank our supporters who have made this project possible. If you’d like to help support this project, please visit orchestranext.com.

For this episode, we are featuring Lisa McWhorter and Hung-Yun Chu on a performance of Lili Boulanger’s Nocturne which is the first recording of chamber music recorded at the new Orchestra Next Studio which is in the new Midtown Arts Center! Our featured guest is John Reynolds – Orchestra Next’s Board President – who has helped keep us all sane during this past season.

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our musicians for hanging in there during this trying time. And we also wish to thank our supporters who have made this project possible. If you’d like to help support this project, please visit orchestranext.com.

For this episode, we are featuring Sarah Viens’ inspiring recording of Libby Larsen’s Fanfare for the Women which she recorded at Tykeson Hall at the Oregon Bach Festival’s Berwick Hall. Our featured guest is musician and ON board member Ray Morse who goes into thoughtful detail about the piece. Finally, Sarah Viens joins in at the end to discuss her process.

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our musicians for hanging in there during this trying time. And we also wish to thank our supporters who have made this project possible. If you’d like to help support this project, please visit orchestranext.com.

PERSONAL GAME is a live theatre experience showcasing Ashley Baker’s costume designs, with original music by Orchestra Next. This unusual project – which is only open to members of the UO community because of current restrictions – features performers in costumes which abstractly express different paths people take in adapting themselves for role-playing games. In this episode, Brian McWhorter and John Schmor, the director of Personal Game, discuss how the music was created for the show.

The original plan for the music to Personal Game was for the musicians to come together in a studio and record. Instead of having a composed score for them to record, both John and Brian were interested in curating a session where the musicians could devise the music together. When the recording sessions were canceled because of covid restrictions, there was a problem: devising a score together seemed impossible and there wasn’t enough time to compose something. The solution was something like a telephone game. Ultimately, the music was devised by Ken Mastrogiovanni (drums), Tyler Abbott (bass), Torrey Newhart (keys), Avery Scanlon (guitar), and Idit Shner (reeds). More information at www.orchestranext.com/personalgame 

Della Davis and Kathryn Brunhaver perform Reinhold Glière’s two movements from Huit Morceaux, Op. 39, for violin and cello – followed by a conversation with Ulrick Casimir, instructor of English at the UO. The conversation starts with some reflections on the inauguration – particularly with Amanda Gorman’s part of the ceremony – and into ideas about expression, voice, and…Bruce Springsteen.

Orchestra Next wants to thank all of our musicians for hanging in there during this trying time. And we also wish to thank our supporters who have made this project possible. If you’d like to help support this project, please visit orchestranext.com.